Hard to fathom Texans making a run without Foster, Tate

Running back Ben Tate feels the effects of four broken ribs suffered against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Running back Ben Tate feels the effects of four broken ribs...

The Texans are fortunate to have the week off because they need to recuperate physically and mentally.

It's too early to tell for sure, but there's a possibility they could return from their open date against Indianapolis with a starting running back who's not on the current roster.

Imagine trying to break a five-game losing streak against the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts with a new running back.

Arian Foster suffered a pulled hamstring in Sunday's 17-16 loss at Kansas City. He predicted he'll play in the nationally televised game against the Colts on Nov. 3.

Ben Tate suffered four broken ribs against the Chiefs but also said he'll be ready to go.

The truth is, today at least, neither has any idea if he's going to be healthy enough to tangle with an Indianapolis defense that has become uncharacteristically physical under second-year coach Chuck Pagano.

Foster has suffered through hamstring issues in the past, including last week when he was nursing soreness in his left hamstring. He started against the Chiefs and was forced out of the game in the first quarter after rushing for 11 yards on four carries.

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The worst thing you can do to a player with a hamstring injury is put him back on the field too soon and run the risk of aggravating it and costing him more playing time.

Tate replaced Foster and ran for 50 yards on 15 carries. He left the game but returned, almost as a decoy. Once the Chiefs realized the Texans' running game was helpless, their pass rushers teed off on quarterback Case Keenum, who got pulverized.

If you're an ordinary Joe living in the real world and you bruise a rib, you know it's agony to breathe, much less to laugh, cough or blow your nose.

Imagine trying to play football with broken ribs. Tate would have to be shot up with some powerful medicine to even attempt to play against the Colts.

There's a good chance Tate won't be healthy the rest of the season. Getting broken ribs pounded every week isn't the ideal elixir.

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Texans update

Oct. 20: Chiefs 17, Texans 16.

Record: 2-5.

Nov. 3: Indianapolis at Reliant Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

TV/radio: NBC, 610 AM, 100.3 FM and 1010 AM (Spanish).

Right now, all the players know is that they don't know about Foster and Tate. They can hope and say all the right things and keep their fingers and toes crossed, but there's no way of knowing if Foster or Tate actually will be able to strap on the pads against Indianapolis.

"It's a very tough situation to be in, not something you could ever imagine," left tackle Duane Brown said. "That would be tough without them."

Until Foster and Tate were injured, the Texans ranked sixth in rushing with 136.8 yards a game. With Foster out and Tate injured and ineffective, they were limited to 73 yards, including 3 a carry.

Entering the game, the Chiefs ranked 23rd against the run and surrendered 5.2 yards a carry.

"Whatever the case may be, we'd love to have a running game because that's what we hang our hat on," Brown said. "That's what makes us go as an offense."

Signing a veteran likely

The Texans are expected to sign a veteran free agent, preferably someone with a familiarity of their zone system.

Ray Graham, an undrafted rookie running back, is on the practice squad and could be promoted to the active roster. More than likely, though, the Texans will sign a veteran with some mileage in the league.

"Ray has some experience in our system," Brown said. "If they plug him in, we (offensive linemen) will put him our back. If you bring in a veteran, it'll be tough because he would have to learn what we do."

Their teammates don't want to know what it could be like to play without Foster and Tate.

"I don't know what it would be like, and I just can't imagine that," said receiver Andre Johnson, who leads the team with 48 catches for 584 yards. "I don't think that's going to happen, anyway."